Why you leave me Tula....

My wife is leaving for a week to go to Mexico. You would think I would be snowshoeing each day and getting some altitude between me and the smog. But this time I took on a painting job. Oh well next week. Besides no snow in the forecast. As Garth puts it I had better do my "Snow Dance".

North Face Comes Thru

Check out these gortex shoes. I can hike, run or snow shoe in these. I love them. With a good pair of gaiters you can go anywhere. Good stability. Very stiff when new but as soon as they are broken in they fit like a glove.

Happy Birthday Vickie and Cotton

Today is my sweet wife Vickie's Birthday along with my oldest son Cotton.

I remember when Vickie went into labor 17 years ago. She got very sick, and has complications.

The Doctor would not come in for the C-section until the football game was over. I was,(OK put it nicely) very upset.

Cotton came into our lives and has been a blessing from Heaven. He has my good looks, my same likes, OK I was not any good at band, loves competition and Loves to run over people with a rugby ball in his hands.

Cotton is much more solid than he looks and he does look solid. Just have him wrestle you in the basement!. I can still take him though...... Its all in the heart!!!!

Cotton's Mom Vickie was such a blessing in my lost life. Although I thought I was doing what I thought I should, she has given me such direction in my life. I give her all the credit for all the accomplishments I have had. Even the 2 -100 mile wasatch mountain runs I finished. After 30+ hours in the mountains I could not wait to see her. She got me across the finish line. She is truly my BRIDE!!!

Just as the Doctor would not deliver Cotton until the game was over they have to wait for me to frost the birthday cake until the Eagles dallas game is over. Notice I did not give dallas the capital "D". I do not like dallas. I am an Eagles man all the way. GO Eagles!!!!

Cottons first Rugby meeting is Monday. All the boys are getting excited, but not as much as me!!! Work hard and get in shape boys. I want everyone safe.

Happy Birthday Vickie and Cotton

Ice Fishing

Cotton and I took off the day after a great Christmas to do some ice fishing. -15 degrees but that did not stop us. With our ice fishing hut, cheesball, crackers and coke being chilled in the 10" hole in the ice we had a blast.

2 - 19" cutthroats. If you know the regulations at strawberry these had to be put back in the lake as you can one keep them if they are salmon, or trout under 15" or over 22". We had a lot of fun.

After falling through a section of soft ice and being blessed by another layer of solid ice under that, and the ice cracking, "loudly" we left and cut the afternoon short.

We will give it another week. The ice was about 6" thick. I like it 12" thick.

Not much Snow shoeing or running

COTTON MAKING A TACKLE
Not much snow shoeing or running happening here. Took a side job to paint a house. The boys are getting geared up for the Rugby season. Cotton's first game is a tournament in Vegas in Febuary. All three are hitting the weights and running. The old man can't keep up. Thanks for the hot tub.
I CAN'T WAIT FOR RUGBY SEASON.

Jacobs Ladder

Great Run amongst the hunters. Did 2 hours until I ran into deer hunters at Movie Rock. Figured that with five hunters with rifles and itchy trigger fingers being the last few days of the month, I had better head back.

Great Run. Total of 3 hours.

Long Run Cut Short

Here are a few pictures that I stopped to take. Between Cascade Springs and Pole Line pass. I wanted to make it to Brighton and back, but had problems with my dog and a mule that was attached to a hunter. My dog could not understand what they were as the hunter was dressed in camouflage, still a little grey light and a mule that was ornery. Cut short a good run, but a beautiful day.

Camping with the boys

Had fun camping with the boys. Rained on us the 2nd night/ Lucky it did not snow.

Love the mountains.

Wasatch 100

Got to pace a good friend Jeff Holdaway in part of the Wasatch 10o. Amazing how he can keep moving so fast thru the heat, up hills all while puking his guts out.

I have to jog to keep up with his walk while going up the hills.

I did not get to see the finish but I know he did. I only hope that I did not slow him down.

Thanks for the chance to run with the big dogs as Jeff is a 100 mile vet.

Labor Day

For Labor day I convinced the family to make the 3-1/2 hour trek to go to Lava hot springs and sit in the hot pools. I think they though I was absolutly crazy. We stayed in a little tiny motel, and sat in the pools for the afternoon. After dinner we went back and then everyone crashed. We took the long road home driving through Soda Springs, Bear lake and Cache Valley. We only wanted to get Rasberrys and Squeeky Cheese. We were not able to get either.
I had fun and am glad my family was patient. I loved being with them.